Are you considering #condominiums? If you’re a first-time homebuyer, you should be. Condos feature several amenities, are low maintenance and more affordable, and could be a perfect option for you. Also, right now, condos are ON SALE!! You just have to be careful about the financial health of the Home Owner’s Association. Contact me today so we can discuss all your available options (including how to learn about that HOA health!)
In the current sellers’ market, many homeowners wonder what, if anything, needs to be remodeled before they list their house. That’s where a trusted real estate professional comes in. They can help you think through today’s market conditions and how they impact what you should – and shouldn’t – renovate before selling.
Here are some considerations a professional will guide you through:
A more balanced market typically sees a 6-month supply of homes for sale. Above that, and we’re in a buyers’ market. Below that, and we’re in a sellers’ market. According to a recent report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), our current supply of homes for sale, while rising, still remains solidly in sellers’ market territory:
“Unsold inventory sits at a 2.6-month supply at the current sales pace, modestly up from May’s 2.5-month supply but down from 3.9 months in June 2020.”
So, what’s that mean for you? If you’re a seller trying to decide whether or not to renovate, this is especially important because it’s indicative of buyer behavior. When there aren’t enough homes for sale, buyers may be more willing to purchase a home that doesn’t meet all their needs and renovate it themselves later.
You don’t want to spend time and money on a project that isn’t worth the cost or is too niche design-wise for some homebuyers. According to an article by Renofi.com, basing home updates on what’s trendy right now can be a costly mistake:
“The last thing you as a homeowner want to do is center your home design around a passing fad – even worse, one thats design quality won’t last a good while.”
Before making any decisions, talk to your real estate advisor. They have insight into what other sellers are doing before listing their homes and how buyers are reacting to those upgrades. Don’t spend the time and money to be trendy – if your buyer wants to upgrade to the newest fad later, they can.
If you have already completed some renovations on your house, you’re not alone. The pandemic kept people at home last year, and during that time, many homeowners completed some home improvement projects. HomeAdvisor’s 2021 State of Home Spending Report found:
“35% of households that completed an improvement project undertook some type of interior painting, while 31% completed a bathroom remodel and 26% installed new flooring.”
Let your real estate professional know if you fall in this category. They can highlight any recent upgrades you’ve made in your house’s listing.
When it comes to renovations, your return-on-investment should be top of mind. Let’s connect today to talk through any upgrades you’ve already made and to find out what you should prioritize before you sell to maximize your house’s potential.
![Sellers Are in a Sweet Spot [INFOGRAPHIC] | MyKCM](https://files.mykcm.com/2021/08/12132433/20210806-MEM-1-1046x2364.png)
There are many headlines about how housing affordability is declining. The headlines are correct: it’s less affordable to purchase a home today than it was a year ago. However, it’s important to give this trend context. Is it less expensive to buy a house today than it was in 2005? What about 1995? What happens if we go all the way back to 1985? Or even 1975?
Obviously, the price of a home has appreciated dramatically over the last 45 years. So have the prices of milk, bread, and just about every other consumable. Prices rise over time – we know it as inflation.
However, when we look at housing, price is just one component that makes up the monthly cost of the home. Another key factor is the mortgage rate at the time of purchase.
Let’s look back at the cost of a home over the last five decades and adjust it for inflation by converting that cost to 2021 dollars. Here’s the methodology for each data point of the table below:
As the chart shows, when adjusted for inflation, there were only two times in the last 45 years that it was less expensive to own a home than it is today.
At every other point, even in 1975, it was more expensive to buy a home than it is today.
If you want to buy a home, don’t let the headlines about affordability discourage you. You can’t get the deal your friend got last year, but you will get a better deal than your parents did 20 years ago and your grandparents did 40 years ago.
Home prices continue to rise as we move through the summer, and that’s good news for sellers who are looking to maximize their home’s potential. If you’re on the fence about whether to list your house now or later, the question you should really ask is: will this price appreciation last?
“At a broad level, home prices are in no danger of a decline due to tight inventory conditions, but I do expect prices to appreciate at a slower pace by the end of the year.”
“The imbalance between robust demand and dismal availability of for-sale homes has led to a continual bidding over asking prices, which reached record levels in recent months . . . . Nevertheless, with more new listings and new home construction, home price acceleration that has built momentum, and continues to reach new highs, will likely slow later this summer but remain in double digits.”
“Many sellers are going to take advantage of higher prices. This summer is going to signal the move to the next chapter, and this will very much be the year they’re going to put their home on the market.”
The experts agree that the summer months give sellers a great opportunity to capitalize on today’s home prices. And while prices aren’t expected to depreciate, the rise in prices is forecast to moderate over the next few years. That means selling your house today could set you up for a bigger win.
Listen to the experts. If you’re ready to make a move, let’s connect to discuss selling your house sooner rather than later so you can take advantage of today’s home price appreciation before it moderates.
August 17th
Portland Metro Area (OR and WA)
Market Activity for the Week of August 9th through August 15th
Homes Sold: 770 vs previous weeks: 698; 895; 793; 868; 732; 1035; 1035; 917; 802; 737; 685; 896; 792; 807; 749; 848; 684; 733; 687; 687; and 581. During the same week last year, this number was 897.
Active Listings: 3498 vs previous weeks: 3487; 3427; 3446; 3278; 3209; 3425; 3091; 2967; 2822; 2744; 2568; 2593; 2476; 2289; 2265; 2173; 2275 2252; 2163; 2135; and 1998.
Total number of Pending Deals: 6293 vs previous weeks: 6294; 6195; 6244; 6256; 6250; 6186; 6586; 6593; 6664; 6546; 6587; 6640; 6561; 6501; 6388; 6393; 6216; 6049; 5894; 5835 and 5779.
New Active Listings: 714
New Pending Deals: 1046 vs previous weeks: 1002; 1074; 1049; 1101; 836; 934; 1030; 1050; 1068; 904; 1084; 1117; 1079; 998; 1037; 1088; 952; and 894.
Average Days on Market 17 (31 last year)
Median Days on Market 5 (7 last year).
Average Sale price: $591,541 vs $526,794 during the same week last year.
Total Sales Volume: $455,486,570 vs $472,534,218 during the same week last year.
According to recent data from realtor.com, median rental prices have reached their highest point ever recorded in many areas across the country. The report found rents rose by 8.1% from the same time last year. As it notes:
“Beyond simply recovering to pre-pandemic levels, rents across the country are surging. Typically, rents fluctuate less than 1% from month to month. In May and June, rents increased by 3.0% and 3.2% from each month to the next.”
If you’re a renter concerned about rising prices, now may be the time to consider purchasing a home.
When you weigh your options of whether to buy a home or continue renting, how much you’ll pay each month is likely top of mind. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), monthly mortgage payments are rising, but they’re still significantly lower than the typical rental payment. NAR indicates the latest data on homes closed shows the median monthly mortgage payment is $1,204.
By contrast, the median national rent is $1,575 according to the most current data provided by realtor.com. In other words, buyers who recently purchased a home locked in a monthly payment that is, on average, $371 lower than what renters pay today (see graph below):
The difference in monthly housing costs when comparing renting and homebuying today is significant, but many would-be homebuyers wonder about the future of rental prices. If we look to historical Census data as a reference, the median asking rent has risen consistently since 1988 (see graph below):The rise in rent over time clearly shows one of the major advantages homeownership has over renting: stable housing costs. Renters face increasing costs every year. When you purchase your home, your mortgage rate is locked in for 30 years, meaning your monthly payment stays the same over time. That gives you welcome peace of mind and predictability for many years ahead.
With rents continuing to rise across the country, renters should consider if now is the right time to buy. There are multiple benefits to buying sooner rather than later. Let’s discuss your options so you can make your most powerful decision.
Sometimes it can feel like everyone has advice when it comes to buying a home. While your friends and loved ones may have your best interests in mind, they may also be missing crucial information about today’s housing market that you need to make your best decision.
Before you decide whether you’re ready to buy a home, you should know how to answer these three questions.
Home prices are one factor that directly impacts how much it will cost to buy a home and how much you stand to gain as a homeowner when prices appreciate.
The graph below shows just how much experts are forecasting prices to rise this year:Continued price appreciation is great news for existing homeowners but can pose a significant challenge if you wait to buy. Using these forecasts, you can determine just how much waiting could cost you. If prices increase based on the average of all forecasts (12.46%), a median-priced home that cost $350,000 in January of 2021 will cost an additional $43,610 by the end of the year. What does this mean for you? Put simply, with home prices increasing, the longer you wait, the more it could cost you.
Another significant factor that should inform your decision is mortgage interest rates. Today’s average rates remain close to record-lows. Much like prices, though, experts forecast rates will rise over the coming months, as the chart below shows:Your monthly mortgage payment can be significantly impacted by even the slightest increase in mortgage rates, which makes the overall cost of the home greater over time when you wait.
The final question is a personal one. Before deciding, you’ll need to understand your motivation to buy a home and why homeownership is an important goal for you. The financial benefits of owning a home are often easier to account for than the many emotional ones.
The 2021 National Homeownership Market Survey shows that six of the nine reasons Americans value homeownership are because of how it impacts them on a personal, aspirational level. The survey says homeownership provides:
The National Housing & Financial Capability Survey from NeighborWorks America also highlights the emotional benefits of homeownership:Clearly, there’s a value to homeownership beyond the many great financial opportunities it provides. It gives homeowners a sense of pride, safety, security, and accomplishment – which impacts their lives and how they feel daily.
Homeownership is life-changing, and buying a home can positively impact you in so many ways. With any decision this big, it helps to have a trusted advisor by your side each step of the way. If you’re ready to begin your journey toward homeownership, let’s connect to discuss your options and begin your journey.
Last Updated: Aug. 14, 2021 at 2:46 p.m. ETFirst Published: Aug. 12, 2021 at 10:08 a.m. ET By Jacob Passy
Mortgage rates rise for first time in a over a month — as key economic reports shift the market’s outlook – MarketWatch
Mortgage rates surged higher in the wake of July’s strong jobs report as the market begins to price in a change in stance at the Federal Reserve.
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 2.87% for the week ending Aug. 11, up 10 basis points from the previous week, Freddie Mac FMCC, -2.55% reported Thursday. It’s the first time in six weeks that the 30-year loan rose on a weekly basis.
The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage increased five basis points to an average of 2.15%, while the 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage ticked up by four basis point to an average of 2.44%.
Mortgage rates rose higher in tandem with rising bond yields, including an increase in the yield on the 10-year Treasury note TMUBMUSD10Y, 1.275%.
“After touching their lowest point in six months, mortgage rates rose over the last seven days as some key economic reports shifted the market’s outlook,” Zillow Z, -0.02% ZG, 0.38% senior economist Matthew Speakman said, adding that the July jobs data released last Friday was the primary impetus for this week’s increase in mortgage rates. Other data also indicated there were a record number of job openings as of June.
Economists see the positive developments in the labor market, as well as additional indications of rising inflation, as a prelude to the Federal Reserve shifting its stance.
“The Fed has said for months that they will not consider tightening monetary policy until more meaningful progress is achieved in the labor market,” Speakman said. “Indeed, many Fed officials have stated that they view a slowdown in their program of asset purchases to likely be sometime this fall, and the strong jobs figures are giving those statements more weight.”
On the home-buying front, while rates may be higher, they are still low from a historical perspective. “Low rates are fueling strong activity into the late-summer season, which historically has seen a slowdown,” said George Ratiu, senior economist at Realtor.com.
Rising rates won’t necessarily immediately lead to higher costs for home buyers, either. Recent data from Realtor.com shows that the number of new listings of homes for sale continues to grow, which should reduce some of the competition and price pressure buyers were facing due to the inventory shortage playing out nationwide.
(Realtor.com is operated by News Corp NWSA, -3.61% subsidiary Move Inc., and MarketWatch is a unit of Dow Jones, which is also a News Corp subsidiary.)
“These factors also signal that fall may turn out to be a busier season than usual, as buyers seek to take advantage of improving market conditions,” Ratiu said.
